The swimsuit issue has become not only a much-anticipated publication by every age group of men, but also a financial powerhouse for Time, Inc., the parent of SI. The single issue now accounts for more than 7% of revenue for Sports Illustrated and sells over a million copies.

This year, the magazine is expanding its horizons with the #SwimSexy Swimsuits for All campaign. The issue will include the first plus size model, Ashley Graham, and the oldest SI Swimsuit model, 56-year-old Nicola Griffin.

Based on the SI Swimsuit 2016: Final Sneak Peak video, the 2016 issue will also feature plenty of what those 1 million readers are looking for.

In honor of the iconic issue, following are a list of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue firsts and other honors:

First Issue: The first swimsuit issue was January 20, 1964, and popularized the bikini.

Most letters: The 1978 issue “The Beauties of Brazil” received the most letters to the magazine. The reason was not the cover, however, but the fishnet suit sported by Cheryl Tiegs. That issue also received the most cancellations.

First African American: Tyra Banks in 1996 was the first African American to appear on the cover of a the SI swimsuit issue. She shared the cover that year with Valerie Mazza. Banks was also the first solo African American cover model the following year.

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Lisa M. Ruth is Editor-in-Chief of CDN. In addition to her editing and leadership duties, she also writes on international events, intelligence, and other topics. She has worked with CDN as a journalist since 2009.
Lisa is also President of CTC International Group, Inc., a research and analysis firm in South Florida, providing actionable intelligence to decisionmakers. She started her career at the CIA, where she won several distinguished awards for her service.
She holds an MA in international relations from the University of Virginia, and a BA in international relations from George Mason University. She also serves as Chairman of the Board of Horses Healing Hearts, and is involved with several other charitable organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and AYSO.